Children are trained and nurtured until they become perfect dancers who carry themselves with grace and poise.

The academy was founded by Nadia Burger in 2017, she is a registered ballet and modern dance teacher.

She also teaches in White River.

Aspiring dancers of all ages who joined the academy when it opened its doors, have successfully passed their exams and in October 2019, a sparkling production of Cinderella was staged.

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Their motto “Let’s Dance” is welcoming and makes the children dance their hearts out while unleashing their inner dance spirits.

Burger filled a gap in Hoedspruit and Kampersrus, which had not had a ballet teacher for a few years.

Herald spoke to Burgers’ assistant, Eva Gardiner who is elated that some restrictions have been relaxed under lockdown level 1.

“Once the lockdown eased, the dancers were eager to get back to class.

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The school has since grown to offer a full weekly schedule of classes, including ballet for adults, which are held at various schools and pre-schools as well as public venues in Hoedspruit and Kampersrus.

“Dancers from as young as 3-years-old are inspired to carry themselves with grace and poise, while they plie, chasse and pirouette with apparent ease.

All of this is underpinned by a love of music and movement.

“Naturally, the chance to wear a gorgeous tutu and the dream to one day dance in pointe shoes are also great motivators,” said Gardiner.

She said all lessons at the Papillion include, from a very young age, training in body awareness, strength, stretch and stability, which are vital for dance safety.

“The academy now also offers pilates classes,